Choose To Be A Volunteer

One of the oldest adages known to mankind is from both the Golden Rule and the Christian Bible: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” “It is better to give than receive.”

In today’s society, those sentiments all too often get shoved aside to pave the way for personal ambition, financial success, instant gratification, and other very self rewarding behaviors we’ve learned. It’s all dog-eat-dog and “me first.”

However, humanity hasn’t really changed that much: A person’s most basic, primal instinct is self-preservation and self-protection.

This is certainly understandable; we are inherently “wired” to hang on, to keep on going, to try harder — even when the “going” gets tough, as they say.

Euphemisms aside, here’s a secret, and it’s very, very simple: When you show appreciation for others and give of yourself, you will reap innumerable pleasurable benefits — for yourself, of course — but more, much more importantly, for the other person or people we’re affecting.

Why? Here’s another easy answer: Our...